June 14, 2025

Stress doesn’t knock politely. It barges in. Usually during your busiest week. It creeps into your jaw, your digestion, your sleep. And while deep breathing apps and scented candles sound nice, real relief often needs more than a 30-second exhale.

In fact, we often take our mental health for granted. We often keep making things worse for our mental health by being people pleasers, working overnight, and thinking we’re not doing great. Well, there are lots of things. But still, you can break free from stress. Here’s how to make stress sweat a little.

Start by Moving Something

Your body’s built to move, not stew. Stress locks us into stillness. Shoulders tense. Back stiff. Thoughts race like they’re late to something. You don’t need a full workout. Just movement. A walk around the block. Five push-ups by your desk. Dancing in the kitchen counts. Motion tells your body: that we’re not stuck. Let’s keep going.

Do One Thing With Your Hands

Stress lives in your head. It loops and loops and loops. But your hands? They’re a secret weapon. Try cooking something simple. Drawing random doodles. Folding laundry without rushing. Even cleaning out that drawer of random cables can bring peace. Doing things with your hands shifts focus and settles thoughts. It’s like telling your brain to take the back seat for a while.

Say the Thing Out Loud

Stress grows in silence. That inner monologue of “I’m fine” isn’t fooling anyone. Say the real thing. “I feel overwhelmed.” “I’m frustrated with work.” “I’m tired of pretending I’m okay.” Speak it to a friend, a wall, or even your dog. Doesn’t matter. The release is what helps. You name it, you shrink it. And if someone asks how you are, try being honest once. No need to spill everything. Just skip the automatic “Good, you?” now and then.

Sleep Is a Bigger Deal Than You Think

Lack of rest turns stress into a permanent roommate. Everything feels louder, heavier, and harder when your brain is running on crumbs. Go to bed 20 minutes earlier. Start there. Block notifications. Dim the room. Let your body get used to winding down. Don’t punish yourself for a bad night, just reset the next. Think of sleep like charging a battery. No power, no function.

Stop Fixing Everything at Once

Stress feeds on the idea that everything needs solving right now. It doesn’t. Pick one small task. Just one. Fold the towel. Text that friend back. Sort your receipts. Doesn’t matter how minor it seems—doing one thing resets your brain. Then maybe another. Then rest. Trying to fix it all just leaves you spinning.

Stress isn’t a puzzle to solve. It’s a signal. One that says, “Hey, this is too much.” And instead of ignoring it or numbing it with caffeine and doomscrolling you can respond. Gently. Bit by bit. So move. Speak. Rest. Laugh when you can. And remember: being a little undone doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means you’re human.…